Amazon gives Prime users access to 5,000 free movies and TV shows

by Steven Mostyn - Feb 22 2011, 14:44

Adding to the appeal of its Amazon Prime platform, online retail behemoth Amazon has this week announced that its Prime members now have access to the unlimited streaming of commercial-free movies and TV shows—and all without incurring any extra charges.

The expansion offers up 5,000 movies and shows, bolstering the attraction of the basic Prime package—which provides customers with free Two-Day shipping on purchases and has already “attracted millions of members,” according to Amazon.

“Millions of Amazon Prime members already enjoy the convenience of free Two-Day Shipping,” said Robbie Schwietzer, vice president of Amazon Prime in an official statement. “Adding unlimited instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows at no additional cost is a great way to give members even more value for their $79 annual Amazon Prime membership.”

The media content available for streaming ranges from recent movies such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Syriana, through to classics like Chariots of Fire and Amadeus.

On the TV front, members can expect popular entertainment shows such as Doctor Who and Fawlty Towers, along with documentaries including Food Inc. and March of the Penguins.

The streaming service is open to Prime members equipped with PC or Mac systems and close to 200 models of Internet-connected TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes with support for Amazon Instant Video.

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